Molecular phylogeny, character evolution, and biogeography of the grammitid fern genus Lellingeria (Polypodiaceae)

• DOI: 10.3732/ajb.0900393
• Publication Date: 2010-07-27T03:06:11Z
• Authors: Paulo H. Labiak; Michael Sundue; Germinal Rouhan
• Keywords: Polyphyly; Monophyly; Polypodiaceae; Maximum parsimony

The recognition of monophyletic genera for groups that have high levels homoplastic morphological characters and/or conflicting results obtained by different studies can be difficult. Such is the case in grammitid ferns, a clade within Polypodiaceae. In this study, we aim to resolve relationships among four clades which been previously recovered either as polytomy or with topologies, goal circumscribing genera. •The sampling included 89 specimens representing 61 species, and sequences were two genes (atpB rbcL) intergenic spacers (atpB-rbcL, rps4-trnS, trnG-trnR, trnL-trnF), resulting matrix 5091 characters. combined data set was analyzed using parsimony, likelihood, Bayesian methods. Ninety-six optimized onto generated trees, parsimony method. •Lellingeria composed main clades, L. myosuroides Lellingeria s.s. together are sister Melpomene. Sister all three these species polyphyletic genus Terpsichore. clade, several dispersal events occurred between neotropics, Africa, Pacific Islands, whereas restricted about 60% its diversity Andes. •Overall, our suggest monophyletic, easily characterized morphologically biogeographically. Morphological describing indument most important define ingroup. A small considered Terpsichore, should recognized new genus.